we would value more if they were spent on education, or the environment or national defense, or... whatever. we have to go through those choices. we can't have everything we want. that's an issue that will be an issue for employees and employers. how much of your take-home pay-- what could be your take-home pay-- do you want going into medical premiums? and if you really want to put a cap on it, recognize that that will mean some things-- which are of benefit, but more marginal benefit than other things-- won't be available. the question is can we make such decisions and stick to them? alex capron: i think we could get to the point where we face those decisions and make the kinds of decisions which seem justified enough that they can stand up to those difficult cases. they won't collapse the first time a child with an appealing face doesn't get some treatment that would be lovely if he could get, because it's ranked low enough in our value system, given what benefit the child would get, that it's not going to be made available, and not have that front-page story tear at our heart s